Thursday, October 1, 2026
The National Republican Congressional Committee has named former New York State Assemblyman Mike LiPetri to a new initiative aimed at boosting Republican candidates in competitive congressional districts — including New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes much of Nassau County's North Shore as well as parts of Queens, currently represented by Democrat Tom Suozzi.
The effort, called the “MAGA Majority,” is the rebranded version of the NRCC’s long-running Young Guns program. It identifies Republican candidates the party believes are well positioned to compete in battleground districts and provides them with early strategic support, resources and national visibility.
Republicans currently hold a narrow 218–214 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. With Democrats needing a net gain of just three seats to take control, both parties are preparing for a closely contested midterm election cycle.
The NRCC says the new program is designed to highlight candidates aligned with former President Donald Trump’s political agenda, including policies focused on border security, energy production and economic issues.
“Mike LiPetri is a battle-tested winner and fighter for Long Island families,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said in a statement. “He’s committed to helping House Republicans and President Trump deliver a safer and stronger America, and he has what it takes to flip this seat and send Tom Suozzi packing this November.”
LiPetri, who previously represented parts of Nassau County in the New York State Assembly, is positioning himself as part of what Republicans describe as a new generation of candidates. In a statement, he criticized Suozzi’s long tenure in public office and argued that the district needs new leadership.
LiPetri criticized Suozzi’s lengthy tenure in public office and argued that the district would benefit from new leadership and a different policy approach, especially with regard to taxation . “It’s time for a next generation common sense New Yorker to shake up Washington and put hardworking taxpayers first,” LiPetri said.
Republican strategists argue that recent election results suggest the district may be competitive. According to GOP messaging surrounding the announcement, President Trump carried the district in 2024, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman won the district by more than 12 percentage points in 2025. Blakeman is now the Republican nominee for governor. Republicans also point to local victories in North Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Glen Cove as signs of shifting political momentum on Long Island.
Democrats, however, dispute the Republican characterization of the district and say Suozzi continues to deliver results for constituents through bipartisan work in Washington.
“Congressman Suozzi continues to work across party lines to deliver common-sense solutions: lowering everyday costs, advancing safe and humane immigration policy, reinstating the full SALT deduction, pushing back on reckless environmental policies, and demanding the White House work with Congress on a plan for Iran that does not waste billions of dollars, risk American lives, or drive up gas prices,” Kim Devlin, a senior political adviser to Suozzi, said.
The MAGA Majority program rollout comes as Republicans attempt to defend their narrow House majority during a midterm cycle that could prove challenging for the party in power. Historically, the party that controls the White House often loses seats during midterm elections, and Republicans have faced political pressure tied to economic concerns and inflation.
NY-03, which includes much of Nassau County’s North Shore as well as parts of Queens, has been a closely watched district in recent election cycles. Suozzi, who previously served as Glen Cove mayor and Nassau County executive, returned to Congress in 2025 and won his most recent race with 51 percent of the vote.
